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Gospel Instruments => Gospel Keyboard / Piano => Topic started by: TheBigO30 on September 02, 2008, 08:40:17 AM
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I read this artcle on gospel hip-hop
Are We Killing Ourselves?
Hip hop artist Sean Slaughter writes regularly-appearing column for GOSPELflava.com on the wide-ranging topic of Gospel hip hop.
July 15, 2008
I just finished reading a great article on the 5 Percent Nation of Islam's influence in hip hop. 5 Percenter's, as they are known, believe that 85% of the world is in bondage to the other 15%, and only 5% of the population (the 5 Percent Nation of Islam) has the answers to true knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Some of the great artists of the past have had some connection or affiliation with the 5 percent nation. Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Brand Nubian, Poor Righteous Teachers, and so on. Even today, artists such as Erika Badu and Lupe fiasco have waved the 5 percent flag, praying to Allah at the beginning of their CDs.
Now if we take a look at these artists, they're agenda has not only been record sales, but promoting their God (Allah) in their music and responsibility in their communities. Now I am not trying to convert you or make change your name to Rufus X, but as Christian rap music gains ground (you need to read this article http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/04/29/19752948.aspx (http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/04/29/19752948.aspx)), what are we doing with our music?
The thug, gangster, pimp image has now become part of the foundation of hip hop, even in the Christian arena. Being locked up, shot, thugged out and education deficient have been ingrained in the definition of hip hop, even though these things were never major in hip hop's early beginnings. Looking rich and big ballin' have all but chocked out the voice of reason, positivity and spirituality. And some of our music and our attitudes (Christian rappers) have been caught in this trap.
How do I know? I've heard more Christian rappers talk more about their 'hoodliness' than Godliness. I've been to shows where artists' swagger has repelled more people than attracted them. I have even had artists talk about beefing with other artists (I am dead serious), going as far as putting the beef on a record (now I am laughing)!
Are we stupid? Fire, aggression, and passion for God should not be confused with ego, pride, and arrogance. The 5 Percent Nation in hip hop was promoting self responsibility, self awareness, and God consciousness, causing hip hop fans to examine themselves. What are we doing? Acting like fake Young Jeezys, bootleg Soldier Boyz, and corny DJ Khaleds? Is not Jesus Christ the One and true God?
We have been called to make great music and bring great ministry to the mass of hip hop fans. We are a different breed of artist; using the popularity we gain to point people in God's (Jesus, baby!) direction. If we lower ourselves and corrupt our music with an attitude that does not reflect Christ, and continue to act like fake Christian studio thugs and pimps, then we might as well put a gun to our head: cuz we're killing ourselves.
give me your input
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Interesting article.
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Well what about the traditional Gospel Artist Preachers and musicians who are in it for just the fame and the money, and not for Jesus? nobody wants to talk about them. but because they dont like hip hop, they wanna complain. Well I'm sorry to inform you, but its none of your busines what kinda Gospel music I listen to.
Wasnt Thomas Dorsey's music met with the same criticism? Didnt they put him down for bringing a Blues sound into Gospel? Now we are all sing "Precious Lord:" in church, which was once considered unholy as many people today, consider Gospel hip hop.
Times change, and so will the music, but older people dont seem to like that. I an understand, 'cuz I dont like Gospel hip Hop Either, but Who am I to put down someone's praise to God, just because I dont like or understand their style?
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what I got for this acticle is that nothing is wrong with the music, but some of the gospel rappers are bet more street rapper and thugs than being solider for the Lords. to me if you say that you are in it for the Lord than be for the Lord. That my two cents.
P.s this article was write by a Gospel Rapper so ti not just the old saints.
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I an understand, 'cuz I dont like Gospel hip Hop Either, but Who am I to put down someone's praise to God, just because I dont like or understand their style?
Why don't you like gospel hip hop? I know there is more business in the music business than there is music. Early gospel hip hop seemed corny and not very authentic so now we have this more thugged out version which is more like secular hip hop but not always true to the gospel.
I don't put it down but I don't see anything wrong with having dialog about it.
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Why don't you like gospel hip hop?
Its just not my style. I honestly dont like any of the hip hop that is out today. After 1999 and 2000, Hip hop turned into pure trash. Like you said, there is more business in music, than music, and the music has been sacrificed for money.
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Gospel Rap=Oil and Water...they don't mix
NOW Gospel Hip-Hop (j. Moss, Canton Jones, Kiki Sheard) mixes very well
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The way I look at it (me being a gospel rapper myself) everything is needed at some point. Sometimes you need a artist with a lil street swag so he can reach certain people, sometimes you need a deep thinking intellectual type rapper to reach certain people, sometimes you need a rapper/preacher who can reach certain people. We as ministers have to reach people where they are...now do not get me wrong I dont mean we need to sag with flags hanging out of our pockets throwing up gang signs(lord help us) but I feel like sometimes it is necessary to give testimony in songs and sometimes that gonna go back to the place where you came from for example I have a song called King of Glory and one of the lines in the song is
Sufficient is his grace so no longer do I go down/
the spots where i been before/(lookie here)
Dope flippa Drank sippa Weed Smoker b4 I hit the door/
and then i came in and everything was changed/
by the King of Glory everybody scream his name/
I feel like by those bars somebody dealing with one of those issues can say ok he used to smoke weed to but look at him now maybe I can stop too....but that’s just me and my opinion everybody is entitled to their own the only thing I say is watch what u say about those serving God you never know how God is gonna use somebody
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The way I look at it (me being a gospel rapper myself) everything is needed at some point. Sometimes you need a artist with a lil street swag so he can reach certain people, sometimes you need a deep thinking intellectual type rapper to reach certain people, sometimes you need a rapper/preacher who can reach certain people. We as ministers have to reach people where they are...now do not get me wrong I dont mean we need to sag with flags hanging out of our pockets throwing up gang signs(lord help us) but I feel like sometimes it is necessary to give testimony in songs and sometimes that gonna go back to the place where you came from for example I have a song called King of Glory and one of the lines in the song is
Sufficient is his grace so no longer do I go down/
the spots where i been before/(lookie here)
Dope flippa Drank sippa Weed Smoker b4 I hit the door/
and then i came in and everything was changed/
by the King of Glory everybody scream his name/
I feel like by those bars somebody dealing with one of those issues can say ok he used to smoke weed to but look at him now maybe I can stop too....but that’s just me and my opinion everybody is entitled to their own the only thing I say is watch what u say about those serving God you never know how God is gonna use somebody
First order of business....WELCOME TO LGM!!
Second order of business.... I agree with your post.
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First order of business....WELCOME TO LGM!!
Second order of business.... I agree with your post.
lol thanks for the welcome
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Rap=Hip Hop-Lies
Gospel=Jesus + Good News
Hip Hop + Gospel equals the sum of salvation, glorification, and praise ?/?
What do I know ;D
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Rap=Hip Hop-Lies
Gospel=Jesus + Good News
Hip Hop + Gospel equals the sum of salvation, glorification, and praise ?/?
What do I know ;D
So what about Gospel RnB?
Gospel = Good news
RnB/Blues = Sex, money, etc.
What you call Gospel Music is based on RnB and Blues. So whats the difference?
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I was talking about the elements (progression, beats, runs, etc) of music, not the content within the music.
Hip Hop + R & B + Blues - Content + Gospel X Jesus = Gospel Music genre
I'm not good at math 8)
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Personally, I feel that as Christians we should not be judging people based on the way they like their music. I like Gospel hip-hop artists such as: Da Truth, Humble Tip, and Lecrae, but you know sometimes people need to listen past the beat and HEAR the words. We all know that Hip-hop is the most influential music movement ever; so if our goal is to bring the kids who love hip-hop to the kingdom why are we judging the one's who are trying to press toward the mark??
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My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics. This opens the door for a lot of drama. Just my opinion!!!
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My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics.
This is rite T-Block!
And as for me I dont want to be part of something I was trying to get out of, Sin, Sex, Violence! I dont need to be reminded. (NOT THAT WE DONT NEED TO BE REMINDED WHERE WE COME FROM)Gospel Music should be more on praising/glorifying, givin GOD the Glory, ministering to someone, not on what I (Self) Am About/have but what GOD/Jesus Is About!
And People got to standup for Holiness.
And about this "REACHIN" people
either they accept it or not, we dont have to force it down their throats as some us do.
"Let your light so shine" Matthew 5:16 That'll Be Your Reacher! (least for a start)(This is a whole new area but it is complimentary of this subject)
see we tryin to do a "work" to "Reach" people when all we have to do is "present our body as a living sacrifice HOLY and acceptable to GOD and let our light so shine"
We dont have to bring the WORLD (worldly ideas/trends/sin) into the church to reach people. Either they accept it or Not!
But Then again It don't always have to be the "Old Time Way" But It definetly has to be The BIBLE Way
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::)
(http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1974_eating_popcorn.gif)
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one of the biggest factors in the way we recieve music is what we grew up listening to.. alot of us like gospel/church music because we were raised hearing it.. doesnt it feel good to hear a song that we remember hearing as a child? I grew up on the Winans, who were considered very secular(they even incorporated Gospel Rap in some of their songs) but I felt the anointing in their music the same way any of you feel it in "Gospel Music"...
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My bad. i didnt finish... but yeah, there is a new generation of Christians who never heard of James Cleveland or Yolanda Adams or Kurt Carr... but they got saved after hearing Lecrae or Da Truth... they feel God's presence at a Gospel Rap concert, like I said before, I was a Winans Fan long before I ever heard of Kurt Carr or Martha Munizzi or any other "gospel" artists... I cried to their music, I felt the pull of God in my life... God can use anyone with a willing heart.
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Can we really say that gospel rapper aren't glorifying God? Can we say that they aren't holy? Can we say that they aren't ministers? Can we say that God isn't please with them? I am reminded of a scripture: Psalms 24:3-5 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in His holy place. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart...He shall receive the blessing of the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
I can't say that I don't like something, until I listen to it. I can't say that Gospel rappers aren't ministers, because I have no idea what changes they have made in people's lives. I have never been a rapper, so I will not understand gospel rap as someone who has been around rap all their life. Our understanding of music is different. Now if their music is contrary to the Gospel and they are about self-glorification, then that is another issue.
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My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics. This opens the door for a lot of drama. Just my opinion!!!
I can feel that to a certain extent like i said before we as gospel rappers shouldn't be sagging and having bandana's hanging out of our pockets but other than that tennis shoes, ball cap, jeans, t-shirt, button down, jersey, i dont see anything wrong with wearing any of that
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My only problem wit some Christian/Gospel rappers is they still look like their secular counterparts. There needs to be a DEFINITE distinction between gospel rap and secular rap. For the most part, that distinction is not very clear until u listen to the lyrics. This opens the door for a lot of drama. Just my opinion!!!
Ehh I dont know about that. If you look outside and see young males and females who are saved Christians, they dress just like the "sinners" do. What do you mean when you say secular counterparts? Are you talking about sagging alone? Or is there a lot more? I dont see whats wrong with wearing baggy jeans, a white tee and some timbs. (im talking out loud now, not necessarily aiming it at you ;-) ).
Why is that secular or wordly? Why are black suits Godly? I think people focus on look too much. Now if we want to talk about females wearing mini skirts or shirts that show off all of their chest, that's another story....and a different one for that matter.
But like I said, why does a shirt have to be buttoned up? Society...Gospel society, has formed a dress code for some odd reason...and I don't agree with it. Its just like how society as a whole says that "wearing a suit" is more professional than jeans and a t-shirt.
A look...a change....look regarding change is not clothes, but its something deeper. You can look at someone and tell that they've changed...something in their eyes, in their walk..in their swagger and their smile....but they can still wear the same clothes. Feel me?
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A look...a change....look regarding change is not clothes, but its something deeper. You can look at someone and tell that they've changed...something in their eyes, in their walk..in their swagger and their smile....but they can still wear the same clothes. Feel me?
Funny, my pastor was talking 'bout how you see a person walking in the Mall, and just know they are saved ....I waiting to obtain that level of discernment
And I KINDA agree about the clothes. I think extra baggy clothes look stupid, but if thats what people wanna do.......
Me personaly, I had to give that stuff up. People judge you by how you dress, like it or not. When i'm in public I wanna look decent, you never know when you might miss an opportunity, because you were dressed like a thug. That especially goes for my black brothers, you are already being judged by the color of your skin, dont give em another reason to pre-judge you. I honestly would never hire somebody who is dressed like a thug, dresses grungy, dresses like a goth or like a pimp (even though thats half of the brothers in church :D )
Sorry for ranting off topic
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Funny, my pastor was talking 'bout how you see a person walking in the Mall, and just know they are saved ....I waiting to obtain that level of discernment
And I KINDA agree about the clothes. I think extra baggy clothes look stupid, but if thats what people wanna do.......
Me personaly, I had to give that stuff up. People judge you by how you dress, like it or not. When i'm in public I wanna look decent, you never know when you might miss an opportunity, because you were dressed like a thug. That especially goes for my black brothers, you are already being judged by the color of your skin, dont give em another reason to pre-judge you. I honestly would never hire somebody who is dressed like a thug, dresses grungy, dresses like a goth or like a pimp (even though thats half of the brothers in church :D )
Sorry for ranting off topic
But see thats fine how you feel...if you don't like that look, then you don't like it. All of that is fine...its the old traditional church people who try to make it like its biblical.. Yes we are peculiar people and we must separate ourselves from the world...but thats not clothing wise. Just like Gospel Rap...a lot of it I dont like...simply because it sounds like they are trying to be like the world. But its not the sound, its the feeling I get. I dont feel like when they rap, that they are really trying to glorify God...but thats just the few I've heard....now If I were to go to a live show, I may think differ. But I feel this way because of how their "feeling" comes across to me. I look at it the same way if a gospel singer sings....and theirs no FEELING.
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But see thats fine how you feel...if you don't like that look, then you don't like it. All of that is fine...its the old traditional church people who try to make it like its biblical.. Yes we are peculiar people and we must separate ourselves from the world...but thats not clothing wise. Just like Gospel Rap...a lot of it I dont like...simply because it sounds like they are trying to be like the world. But its not the sound, its the feeling I get. I dont feel like when they rap, that they are really trying to glorify God...but thats just the few I've heard....now If I were to go to a live show, I may think differ. But I feel this way because of how their "feeling" comes across to me. I look at it the same way if a gospel singer sings....and theirs no FEELING.
I feel you, we all have different styles that we prefer. I said before, that I dont like Gospel Rap, but who am i to tell someone that thier praise is invalid because I dont like the way it sounds or because I dont understand it?
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Ehh I dont know about that. If you look outside and see young males and females who are saved Christians, they dress just like the "sinners" do. What do you mean when you say secular counterparts? Are you talking about sagging alone? Or is there a lot more? I dont see whats wrong with wearing baggy jeans, a white tee and some timbs. (im talking out loud now, not necessarily aiming it at you ;-) ).
I'm not just talking about clothes, I'm also talking bout stage presence. I see Christian male rappers grabbing they stuff (a lot of times to keep they pants from falling), doing all the worldly dances, etc. yet they rapping bout God. The two just don't mix, there has to be a way to get your message across on stage w/out resorting to worldy gimics to get the crowd hype.
I'm a T-shirt & jeans man myself, so the clothing option is up to the individual. One thing I hate is sagging pants so people can see ur underwear. That whole pants sagging thing is really ridiculous for anyone to do, let alone Christians.
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One thing I hate is sagging pants so people can see ur underwear. That whole pants sagging thing is really ridiculous for anyone to do, let alone Christians.
I saw that in chuch last sunday, I was like ?/?. It wasnt even lke they were baggy, he just wore em, hanging off his ***.
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someone please pass the popcorn.
and some jujubees...
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I'm not just talking about clothes, I'm also talking bout stage presence. I see Christian male rappers grabbing they stuff (a lot of times to keep they pants from falling), doing all the worldly dances, etc. yet they rapping bout God. The two just don't mix, there has to be a way to get your message across on stage w/out resorting to worldy gimics to get the crowd hype.
Besides the grabbing the crotch thing (which i hate to see anybody do) we are going to look like rappers because we are rappers there is no way around it gospel singers look like singers piano players look like piano players drummers look like drummers, etc. its what we do we are mc's (master of ceremonies or mic controller whatever u prefer) and one of the things a mc does is get the crowd hype. The reason I like rap is because its so energetic and loud thats what I like you take away us getting the crowd hype your taking away half of the entertainment value and the entertainment is what keeps the people listening and the longer the people listen the more of the message they hear the more of the message they hear the more they get ministered to.
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take away us getting the crowd hype your taking away half of the entertainment value and the entertainment is what keeps the people listening and the longer the people listen the more of the message they hear the more of the message they hear the more they get ministered to.
You missed my point:
there has to be a way to get your message across on stage w/out resorting to worldy gimics to get the crowd hype.
You see that? Worldly gimics is what I'm talking about. So much emphasis is put on entertainment that some fail to minister. Waving your hands in the air is cool, getting hype is cool, but when the crowd starts acting like a mosh pit, something is wrong. Again, just my opinion.
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I see nothing wrong with Gospel music being entertainment. Would you prefer that people are entertained by Secular music or by Gospel music?
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I see nothing wrong with Gospel music being entertainment. Would you prefer that people are entertained by Secular music or by Gospel music?
I think entertainment is fine, but pure entertainment isn't for gospel artists. The main focus should be the message, not the entertainment factor. Like I said, that's not all gospel hip-hop, but a lot that I have seen.
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I agree
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Hip Hop is not gospel no matter how the lyrics are changed.
Gospel used to have a meaning and a certain sound but now the world is trying to take over our gospel sound
Leave hip hop in the world and leave our gospel sound alone
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there is nothing wrong with RAPPING in itself... rapping is simply poetry... the problem is HipHop, which is a culture rather than a form of musical delivery... hiphop has always been about SELF and image...the hottest clothes, the finest cars, having the "hardest" reputation and trying to make others jealous, instead of focusing on God... none of those things make us closer to God... HipHop and humility don't mix... I only bump Lecrae and CM... they keep it 100%
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Ok as far as saggin' pants go, I personally don't care about the sag as long as it decent. i mean, don't have it looking like you need to change your "diaper". Have some dignity. But hey, some people may sag because their jeans are high-waters or more like flood-waters. Also, don't have your boxers showing(or tighty-whiteys for that matter). Because, nobody wants to see your boxers/briefs. To me, thats nasty and stupid. you already know where"excessive" sagging came from so why do it? That really "Grinds my Gears" to see someone do something that they know is wrong. like smoking or drinking(thats another subject lol)
there is nothing wrong with RAPPING in itself... rapping is simply poetry... the problem is HipHop, which is a culture rather than a form of musical delivery... hiphop has always been about SELF and image...the hottest clothes, the finest cars, having the "hardest" reputation and trying to make others jealous, instead of focusing on God... none of those things make us closer to God... HipHop and humility don't mix... I only bump Lecrae and CM... they keep it 100%
True. Mostly thats what music is; rhyming words with good notes and chords played behind it
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Me, personally i find no hatred, no judgement, and no criticism towards gospel rappers. I mean i think WE AS CHRISTIANS/MUSICIANS should do away with our biased and opinionated ways of what "gospel music" is to US. Think about it. In the gospel industry. Traditional gospel artists, mainly quartet groups are put down because they are so much associated with money, sex, and drugs. Look at contemporary artists, praise teams, and choir members. They are often associated with homosexuality, and believe it or not, it's often accepted IN THE CHURCH by the average church folks ha ha. Then there's Gospel Rap. Listen to the lyrics, not the music, and not clothes they wear. That should be a point proven right there. Gospel can be a genre of music by itself, but there can also be different genres up under it. God doesn't reach each and every person the same exact way. Every person doesn't/can't receive God the same way as another either. Just like God coming into our lives. Sometimes God may come in our lives as a homeless man, through sickness and bad health, through trouble with the law, through just about anything. So my point is.....God is going to use who ever he can, to get through to his people. Now the people he uses as his minsters/vessels are not all perfect themselves. They're living everyday to be better on the next day just like any other saved person! I'm sorry to be so long winded....so much to say but not sure how to put it...hope i got somewhat of a point across ha ha.
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you already know where"excessive" sagging came from so why do it?
It's funny u should say that, because it's not just excessive sagging, it's sagging period that started u know where. So, any kind of sagging isn't good, not just the excessive. A lot of young people sag cuz they see the older people sagging. Heck, young people get their habits (good and bad) from us grown folk anyway. ;)
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It's funny u should say that, because it's not just excessive sagging, it's sagging period that started u know where. So, any kind of sagging isn't good, not just the excessive. A lot of young people sag cuz they see the older people sagging. Heck, young people get their habits (good and bad) from us grown folk anyway. ;)
Very true and spoken with wisdom...